Bridgewater woman to serve one year in prison for fatal drunk driving crash

Wednesday

Jul 16, 2014 at 6:00 AMJul 21, 2014 at 11:39 AM

Patricia Neville-Colp, 51, of Bridgewater, was sentenced to one year in prison and five years probation for a drunk driving crash that left one woman dead and two other people injured.

Staff Reporter

BRIDGEWATER – Colleen McLaughlin took the witness stand flanked by several of her cousins as she began to discuss the effect the death of Maureen O’Brien Ellis, 57, of Easton, had on her and her family.

“We were her children and felt a connection to her like no other,” McLaughlin said, referring to the relationship she and her cousins had with O’Brien Ellis, or as they called her Aunt Moe–Moe.

During her victim impact statement, McLaughlin described a tight-knit family that enjoyed spending time together.

“We had planned an entire family picnic to Castle Island. We did have that picnic, but it was one year later and a memorial picnic,” McLaughlin said.

The picnic was postponed because it was originally scheduled for the day that would become O’Brien Ellis’ wake.

As McLaughlin described the events that her Aunt Moe–Moe would now miss: her nieces and nephews getting married, buying their first homes and having children, Patricia Neville-Colp cried softly, seated at the table facing McLaughlin.

Two weeks ago, Neville-Colp was found guilty of killing O’Brien Ellis in a September 2011 drunk driving crash that would also leave Ellis O’Brien’s sister, Martha Cadoff, and brother-in-law, Steve Cadoff, injured.

On Tuesday, Neville-Colp, 51, of Bridgewater, was sentenced to one year in prison followed by five years of probation. During her probation, Neville-Colp must not use drugs or alcohol, must not contact the victim’s family and must perform 250 hours of community service. She will also lose her drivers license for 15 years.

Neville-Colp had just merged onto Route 24 southbound in Randolph when her SUV T-boned the vehicle O’Brien Ellis was riding in. A state trooper who came upon the scene reported smelling alcohol on Neville-Colp’s breath, observing bloodshot, glassy eyes, thick-tongued speech.

The trooper also testified that she was swaying and failing to follow directions during field sobriety tests.

Neville-Colp would admit to police that she had been drinking at a VFW in Randolph before entering the highway. After being unable to blow enough air to the machine during her first several attempts, Neville-Colp would also fail a breathalyzer test administered by police.

Family and friends of O’Brien Ellis and Neville-Colp packed the courtroom for the sentencing. Members of O’Brien Ellis family wore purple ribbons and buttons displaying a photograph of their deceased relative.

“There are so many things that Moe-Moe deserved that she didn’t get to have because of one individual,” said Terry McLaughlin, O’Brien Ellis’ sister. “She deserved to have happiness again.”

O’Brien Ellis was still getting over the death of her husband, Joseph Ellis, who died of esophageal cancer less than eight months before the fatal crash.

During her victim impact statement, Terry McLaughlin, who was surrounded by other members of O’Brien Ellis’ large family, said that her death “haunts us to this day.”

“Life is not what it was nor will it ever be,” Terry McLaughlin added.

Before the sentence was handed down, Neville-Colp was given an opportunity to address the courtroom.

“I can’t even believe that this horrific accident happened,” Neville-Colp, said through tears. “I wish we had crossed paths on a different plane.”

“We were definitely hoping for more jail time,” said Martha Cadoff, who also praised the State Police and other first responders who were at the crash as well as the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, which prosecuted the case.

“I’m disappointed in the sentence. I would have liked to see a little bit more jail time,” Steve Cadoff said.

The full breakdown on Neville-Colp’s sentence was 2-1/2 years in a house of correction with one year to serve and five years probation for motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence, five years of probation for two counts of operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury to be served concurrently and 2 years with six months to serve and five years of probation for negligent operation of a motor vehicle to be served concurrently.

Neville-Colp’s family declined to comment on the sentencing.

“Nothing will bring our sister back to us,” said Timothy O’Brien, O’Brien Ellis brother. “We have to move on and live the best we can.”